Jets prove too good for the Eels at packed Henson

Warriors suffer shock loss to Magpies

Richard Becht & photosport.nz

Bottom-placed Western Suburbs stunned the high-flying NZ Warriors 20-14 in tonight’s Round 21 NSW Cup clash at Go Media Stadium.

The Warriors came into the match sitting third on the ladder facing a Magpies side which had won just three of 19 matches.

And when the Warriors opened the scoring with a fourth-minute Sio Kali try and then added another through winger Motu Pasikala in the 23rd minute they were making the right moves.

The Magpies, though, revelled in their underdog status, frustrating the locals by slowing the game down with injury stoppages and gradually working their way into the contest.

The rewards came when they defied pre-match expectations by rattling on two tries in the space of three minutes to take a 10-8 lead into the halftime break and then immediately stretching to a 14-8 advantage in the opening minutes of the second half.

Immediately the Warriors sparked up, responding two minutes later with centre Kali’s second try, scored wide out like the previous two tries. Pasikala had the direction once again but for the third time his attempt fell short.

At 12-14 the Warriors had momentum and then levelled up at 14-14 through a Pasikala penalty after the Magpies had a player sent to the sin bin.

They couldn’t make further inroads against the gallant visitors who kept resisting and then found a way through for what would be the match-winning try scored by prop Tim Johannssen in the 74th minute.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v North Sydney Bears 

Clinical second half display seals convincing victory for the Dogs

Anthony Eltarraf

Game Summary

A dominant second half performance saw the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs secure an impressive 32-10 victory over the North Sydney Bears at Belmore Sports Ground this afternoon.

The wet weather forced a slow start from both teams but an early sin bin for Bulldogs prop Poasa Faamausili following a high shot allowed the Bears a one-man advantage.

The home side did well to defend with one man down leading 2-0 after a penalty goal, however just before they regained their 13th man, Bears’ star man Sua Faalogo raced down the right edge before offloading to Allan Fitzgibbon who finished off with an extravagant dive (6-2).

The Bulldogs answered back and regained their 2-point lead when hooker Romano Cook cleaned up a Bears kick and handed the ball off to Joash Papalii before the fullback found his winger Jordi Mazzone who raced 90 metres downfield to score between the posts (8-6).

The Bulldogs carried momentum from their last try, executing a well-worked set play to their left which was finished off by Jonathan Sua with another stylish dive in the corner.

With half time approaching, the Bears looked to have no answers until a brilliant solo effort from Reimis Smith saw him bring his side back within four, grubbering for himself down the right sideline and planting the ball down after the Bulldogs failed to clean up.

A second penalty goal for the Bulldogs just before the break saw the Bulldogs take a 16-10 lead at half time.

The Dogs came out firing in the second half with centre Danny Gabrael finding himself on the end of a Drew Hutchison kick in behind the line which ricocheted perfectly for the young centre.

The hosts held off a load of pressure, strongly defending their line before turning defence into attack and setting up Eli Clark for an easy try on the left edge.

A second try for Eli Clark from yet another set play saw the Bulldogs secure a convincing and dominant 32-10 victory over the first placed Bears.

Talking Points

• The Bulldogs middle laid the foundation for the side, constantly getting their side out of trouble and putting them on the front foot throughout the game.
• Drew Hutchison was instrumental in his side’s win as the half led his side around in attack and put on a defensive clinic.
• Bears’ young star Sua Faalogo gave the Bulldogs trouble with every touch of the ball in the first half; however the home side were able to shut him down in the second, giving him no time whenever the ball found him.

Key Moment

After defending multiple sets on their line at 20-10, the Bulldogs raced downfield and executed a left side set play, finding Eli Clark who dived over and killed any momentum going the Bears’ way.

What’s Next?

The Bulldogs find themselves at Belmore for a second consecutive week as they host the Canberra Raiders next Sunday, while the Bears return home to face the St George Illawarra Dragons at North Sydney Oval.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Penrith Panthers 

Panthers grind out a comeback win over the Dragons.

Bailey Whitton

Game Summary 

The Penrith Panthers have comeback from an 18-0 deficit to defeat the St George Illawarra Dragons 30-24 at Collegians Sporting Complex today.

Off the back of a penalty, the Dragons gained momentum and quickly capitalised off great field position through winger Mikaele Ravalawa who scored in the opening try of the game in the 9th minute (6-0). 

The Dragons went back-to-back through five eighth Lyhkan King-Togia who scored off the back of a line break from Dan Russel (12-0). 

The Dragons were back on the attack after the Panthers gave away a six again due to their rushed defence. Centre Jack Bird made a break downfield before offloading to back rower Dylan Egan who scored the home teams third try in 10 minutes (18-0). 

The Panthers worked their way back into the game off the back of some indiscipline from the Dragons, gifting the visitors multiple attacking sets on their line. 

Despite their best efforts the Panthers struggled to find the line until the 36th minute of the game through centre Asu Kepaoa who powered over Sloan to score (18-4).  

The Panthers crossed again right on half time through halfback Brad Schneider who took on the line before passing out to winger David Fale to score (18-10). 

The Dragons started the second half like they did the first, threatening the Panthers defensive line with their attack. 

St George extended their lead out to 14 points after gifting the Dragons a seven tackle set which led to Sloan scoring a length of the field try (24-10). 

Finding themselves back on the Dragons line, the Panthers shifted the ball out to five eighth Jack Cole who crossed (24-16). 

Kepaoa completed a hat-trick scoring another two tries for the Panthers in the 59th and 62nd minute with both tries showcasing the centre's strength with ball in hand (24-all). 

With the game now levelled, it was the Panthers who broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute. Panther fullback Isaiah Iongi found space down the right wing before passing back onto his inside to find Harrison Hasset who scored (30-24). 

Talking Points

• The Panthers showed determination in never giving up despite the lacklustre start to the game. They never dropped their heads and ground their way to the win over the Dragons iron walled defence.
• In the dying moments of the game, Viliami Fifita was sin binned for a hard tackle of the ball following a well sold dummy from Penrith, something he could face further punishment from.
• Sloan showed a lot of confidence in his attack but was completely overpowered defensively by the hard runs of the Panthers outside backs.

Key Moment

The end of the first half was crucial to this game. The Dragons resilience over such a long period was impressive, but failing to hold on for the whole half lost them a lot of momentum, making it an uphill fight for the rest of the match.

What’s Next?

Dragons will head to North Sydney Oval to play the first placed Bears and the Panthers will go back to BlueBet to play the Knights.

Newtown Jets v Parramatta Eels 

Jets prove too good for the Eels

Bethany Conlon

Game Summary

The fourth placed Newtown Jets turned it on for their home crowd at Henson Park downing the tenth placed Parramatta Eels 30-16 on Saturday afternoon.

Parramatta made a handful of errors early in the game, gifting the Jets with great field position early in the game.

Jets hooker Samuel Healy capitalised on the great field position in the sixth minute, producing a show and go close to the line to score (6-0).

The home team were in again after creating an overlap on the right hand side of the field for winger Kristian Dixon to race down the sideline and score (10-0).

Jets front rower Royce Hunt laid a strong platform for his team with ball in hand, allowing the playmakers to play off the back of this – sending lock Blake Hosking over for the Jets third try of the match (16-0).

With Parramatta struggling to complete a set in the opening 20 minutes,  the Jets continued to pile on the points with winger Tom Rodwell adding his name to the try scorers list (22-0).

The visitors found their feet stringing together a strong attacking set that saw halfback Ethan Sanders breaking through the line and racing down the field to score (22-6).

A knock on early in the second half by the Jets, allowed Parramatta to march their way into the Jets half, with centre Araz Nanva flicking the ball out to his winger Mohamed Alameddine who crossed (22-10).

The Jets found themselves defending their line more in the second half than they did in the first, the Jets held their defence to turn the Eels away each time.

Dixion crossed for his second try of the day in the 57th minute through a cut out pass from Samuel Healy to extend his teams lead out to 18 points.

Despite trailing by 18, Sanders continued to compete on each play for the Eels, successfully putting through a grubber his five-eighth Joshua Lynn with three minutes to go (28-16).

A coat-hanger tackle saw Jets halfback Niwhai Puru add the extras in the dying minutes of the clash to have the final score sit at 28-16.

Talking points

• Jordan Swann left the field for a HIA after suffering a blow to the head when attempting to make a tackle in the 64th minute. Swann was cleared and returned to the field in the final minutes of the game.
• Parramatta halfback Ethan Sanders was a standout today  scoring 12 of his side’s 16 points.
• Parramatta prop, Ofahiki Ogden was placed on report in the 78th minute for careless high contact.

Moment of the Match

After absorbing immense pressure from the Eels attack, the Jets hit back when hooker, Samuel Healy spiralled a cut out pass to winger, Kristian Dixon. This try saw the Jets extend their lead to 18 with 20 minutes to go.

What’s Next?

The Eels make the trip to Auckland to face-off against the fifth placed Warriors next Friday, whilst the Jets return to Henson Park to take on the 11th place South Sydney Rabbitohs and solidify their finals chances.

Sydney Roosters v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 

Roosters run away to dominant win

Alex Hrissis

Game Summary

Sydney Roosters have delivered a convincing 58-6 demolition over the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in Round 21 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup at Wentworth Park on Sunday afternoon, to register their fifth win of the season.

The home side scored first points through Tyreece Tait. The move began when Sea Eagles fullback Jaxson Paulo fumbled the ball following a bomb kick, and the young winger scooped up the ball to score a comfortable try. Sandon Smith converted the try (6-0).

Sydney Roosters made it back-to-back tries over the Sea Eagles following a smooth linebreak from Jake Elliott. The five-eighth passed inside to Salesi Foketi who dived over to extend his side’s lead 12-0.

Blacktown Workers bounced back midway through the first half through Jamie Humphreys. After repeated pressure on the Roosters’ 10-metre line, Lachlan Croker found Humphreys and the rising half ran through the line to crash over for the Sea Eagles’ first points of the game (12-6).

The home side responded quickly, however, and extended their lead through Ethan King. The Roosters made their way downfield and some slick passing down the left edge found the hands of King, who skipped past several Sea Eagles defenders and scored a try. Smith converted the try to give his team a healthy lead (18-6).

Roosters furthered their dominance over the Sea Eagles by extending their lead late in the first half. Sandon Smith put in a controlled kick for Max McCathie. The ball bounced perfectly for the young back-rower to pounce on and score the first try of his NSW Cup career (26-6).

It was one-way traffic at Wentworth Park as the Roosters piled on the points. It was once again passing down that dangerous left edge where the ball found the hands of Foketi. The speedy centre found himself unmarked and strolled over the try-line for his second of the day (32-6).

The home team picked up where they left off in the first half and scored through Robert Toia. The strong outside back received some early ball and bullied off his opposition centre to score in the corner. Smith sprayed the conversion wide (36-6).

After a scrappy 18 minutes of no action it was captain Sandon Smith who stood up and got things going again. He received the ball from his edge back-rower and broke through the line to sprint 30 metres and score underneath the posts. He converted his own try from in front to extend the lead even further to 42-6.

The Roosters piled on more points as they scored another try. Jake Elliott kicked in a tidy grubber behind the posts and it was Smith, yet again, who dived on the ball to score back-to-back tries (48-6).

The home side hit the 50 mark through fullback Callum Gromek. Smith showed off his short kicking game yet again and put in a tidy ball behind the posts for Gromek to pounce on and score his fourth try of the season (54-6).

The left edge of the Roosters was in full flight once again, this time finding the hands of Kyrone Fekitoa. The centre received the ball out wide and dived into the corner just before being tackled out, completing the 58-6 final score.

Talking Points

• Both sides came into this game lurking around the bottom half of the ladder and desperate to break a three-game losing streak, but it was the Roosters who came away with the two points.
• Sandon Smith had an impressive game, showing off his tidy short kicking game, scoring two tries and proving ever reliable from the tee.

Key Moment

The Roosters came out firing in this Round 21 clash and scored in the opening two minutes of the match. They went on to score another nine tries.

What's Next?

In Round 22 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup the Roosters will face off against Western Suburbs Magpies, while Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles will have the bye.

Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs 

Raiders sail past Rabbitohs in nation’s capital

Tahlie Gavin

Game Summary

After a dominant first half saw them head into halftime 34-6 ahead, the Canberra Raiders proved too strong against South Sydney Rabbitohs taking out a huge 56-16 victory in Round 21.

Raiders were first to cross the line through Jed Stuart on the wing. The Raiders were gifted a penalty 10 metres out from the try-line, shifting play left where Zac Woolford threw a cutout pass to Stuart who managed to ground the ball before being pushed into touch. Adam Cook converted successfully to lead 6-0.

Just minutes later, the Raiders received a six-again call in close try-scoring range. Raiders second-rower Simi Sasagi took on the defence stepping and running up the middle to reach out and score under the posts. Cook converted (12-0).

Sasagi was in again three minutes later, stepping the defence and running at an understaffed edge, and worked his way over the try-line. Cook successfully added the extras taking the Raiders to a 18-0 lead early on.

The Raiders were given a penalty at the 21-minute mark for obstruction on the kick chase. Raiders capitalised on this advantage as Woolford took control and shifted play to the right where the ball found Nick Cotric who scored on the wing. Cook failed to convert at 22-0.

The Rabbitohs were next to score. No.9 Ryan Gray crossed from right in front of the posts to ground the ball and add the first points to the scoreboard for the Rabbitohs. Fletcher Myers converted successfully to trail 22-6.

Jed Stuart found his second try of the afternoon with seven minutes remaining in the first half. Adam Cook looped a ball over for Stuart to find his way over the try-line untouched on the wing. Cook converted taking the Raiders to a 22-point lead.

The Raiders pulled off one more try to end their commanding first-half performance through winger Albert Hopoate. Cook converted again, taking the Raiders to a 34-6 lead a halftime.

A knock-on from Raiders five-eighth Mitch Henderson off the back of an offload from Corey Horsburgh, saw Rabbitohs five-eighth Jarrett Subloo pick up the loose ball with a clear run for the try-line to score first in the second half for South Sydney. Myers’ conversion attempt was unsuccessful at 34-10.

A huge defensive effort from the Raiders’ forward pack saw the Rabbitohs come up with an error. With Raiders attacking the line from close range, Jordan Martin took a hard run at the defensive line to score. Cook converted to lead 40-10.

A Rabbitohs penalty, then six-again call saw repeat sets very close to the try-line. Fullback Bayleigh Bentley-Hape found the line for South Sydney taking another four points off their chase. Myers converted taking the score to 40-16.

Owen Pattie scored next for the Raiders, the young hooker coming off the bench and working his way over from dummy-half. Mitch Henderson converted (46-16).

With seven minutes left, Albert Hopoate took the Raiders to 50 points and scored his second for the afternoon. Henderson’s conversion attempt hit the post and was waved away as the Raiders led 50-16.

Just three minutes later, Henderson regained possession after a Raiders kick on the last tackle. Stepping through defenders and running for the line, Henderson put together a great try. A successful conversion took the Raiders to a 56-16 victory at GIO Stadium. 

Talking Points

• Corey Horsburgh returned to the Raiders' NSW Cup side after completing his three-game suspension.
• James Schiller, who was taken from the field for a HIA last week, was unable to play this week due to concussion protocols.

Key Moment

It was an incredible first half of footy to watch with the Raiders putting on six tries to one. First half doubles from Simi Sasagi and Jed Stuart gave the Raiders plenty of confidence heading into the second half 28 points in front. Albert Hopoate came up with a double scoring his second try late in the second half.

What's Next?

The Rabbitohs will take on Newtown Jets at Henson Park on Saturday, while the Raiders head to Belmore to take on the third-placed Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.